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Wednesday morning members of the
Lincoln Rotary Club gathered at Ralph Gale Field across the street
for the Lincoln Junior High School to celebrate the arrival of two
new park benches donated to the field by the club.
Those who were on hand included
seated on the left Bob Chamberlain, on the right Don Jordan.
Standing in the first row, Darlene Begolka, Becky Strait, Bob Kidd,
Lisa Mestinsek, and Steven Rohrer. Standing in back row Keith
Leesman, Kent Froebe, Mike Workman, Thomas Funk, David Helm, Austin
Garriott and Silas Tockey.
According to Rotary president Darlene Begolka, the Lincoln Rotary
Club hosts a variety of fundraisers throughout the year so they can
support the community through several initiatives, including
donations such as the benches. Begolka said the Rotary recognizes
the value of Ralph Gale Field not just to local youth but to the
community on the whole. Helping to make the park a better place to
visit is an important part of what the Rotary does.
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District 27
Superintendent Kent Froebe said the school district was very
grateful to the Lincoln Rotary for their donation. He noted that
the field is not just used by students of District 27. He noted
that throughout the spring and summer the field hosts
approximately 120 ballgames where people come from out of town
as well as from our community. The district has been able to add
a new patio area adjoining the concession stand on the east side
of the field. The patio with picnic tables and now the new
benches will enhance the experience of visitors to the park and
ballgames.
District 27 Board President Steven
Rohrer noted that Ralph Gale Field has seen several valuable
improvements over the last little while. It should be noted that the
field is the first in the community to be turf instead of grass.
This was accomplished a few years ago. The field also has a newer
concession stand building and now the patio. Rohrer noted that there
were other plans in place for the field but those would be a “more
to come” moment for the future.
Lincoln Junior High School Principal Mike Workman echoed the earlier
sentiments adding that he too was excited about not only the
generous donation from the Rotary, but also the past and future
improvements to the baseball field.
[Nila Smith]
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